Priesthood Quorums

(Priesthood Quorums A Message from the Presiding Bishopric From inquiries coming to the Presiding Bishop's Office, it appears that some who are in charge of the Aaronic Priesthood work do not understand the meaning of the recommendation made by the Presiding Bishopric that members of the high council be assigned to supervise Aaronic Priesthood work, and that the bishopric, assisted by three supervisors, be placed in charge of the Aaronic Priesthood work in each ward. We believe that the work of the Aaronic Priesthood has been very much neglected in the past. The annual ward records and the condition of young men called to serve in the mission field are evidences of this fact. The Presiding Bishopric senses the responsibility placed upon them as the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood, and have started a campaign to place this work where it belongs in Church government. To meet with success, responsibility must be placed upon certain individuals who should, as far as possible, be relieved from all other work, but should be in a position to work with other organizations and plan the work to avoid conflict. It is very important that all those engaged in this work visualize the real purpose, and so plan their work, or carry out the plans recommended, that each department may work in harmony with all others, and with a view to giving to the young men in the Church training necessary to qualify them for greater service as they are advanced step by ,step in the Priesthood. They cannot properly qualify through study alone, but must be given work to do; for this Priesthood, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel, is a Priesthood of service, and provides that those holding it shall labor in outward ordinances. This requires action as well as study. Members of the high council, who are interested in this work and who can see the importance of it, can greatly encourage the bishops and those whom they select to assist in the wards. Where it is possible to select active young men as class leaders, this should be done. It is ex- pected that these leaders form a committ-e to act under the direction of the bishopric and to keep them informed as to quorum matters. It is not intended that these class leaders shall perform all" of the work of leadership, but they should go to the class as companions to the boys, for companion- ship is what they most need — someone to help them to realize the importance of their work. They should have respect for quorum officers and should advise these officers from time to time in their presidency. Quorums should be encouraged to function as quorums. Officers should be in charge and should conduct the exercises under the direction of the class leaders appointed. The courses of study for this year have been especially prepared for the Aaronic Priesthood quorums, each lesson arranged in such a manner that it is hoped that each one will give not only information pertaining to Church doctrine, but will also provide some labor to be performed. There are duties that can be performed by deacons, teachers and priests, which may appear to conflict. It should be the duty of the supervisors to meet with the bishopric, plan this work, and assign to each quorum the work required of that quorum. There are many times when these quorums may meet together in social activities. To carry on this work properly, it is important that every young man holding ' the Aaronic Priesthood be provided with a course of study. Up

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 507 to the first of February less than one-fourth had secured these outlines. Inasmuch as future promotions will be based largely upon the written record, as contained in the Class Roll and Record Book, it is important that ward authorities complete their organizations immediately and prepare to hold weekly Priesthood meetings as required. Presiding Bishopric. Leadership Week, Brigham Young University- January 25 to 29 Preparation for the work, and a desire to serve, two of the leading factors that create successful leadership, were illustrated to perfection by all concerned, during the Fifth Annual Brigham Young University Leadership Week, Provo, January 25-29, 1926. The central theme emphasized, in all departments and every day, was Better Teaching of Religion, a vital subject and much neglected in all our organizations. This great Church school devotes one week each year to a training course for parents and others who cannot attend the year-around studies. The regular activities are suspended for the convenience and advantage of the visitors. President Franklin S. Harris and his force of teachers are congratu- lated upon the establishment of this much needed course. More than twelve hundred people attended, from seventy-two stakes of the Church. They were very fortunate in having availed themselves of this opportunity. Something was doing in every division of the institution during every hour of the day. Class work began at 9 o'clock a. m.. a general meeting was held in College Hall at 1:30, and in the evening a social, a concert, a dramatic performance, or debate, was given for the special entertainment of the visitors. The real class work was done during the day, in sixteen departments, and a course of five lectures in each was offered, under the tuition of noted specialists in their respective fields of research and preparation. At the chapel exercises, at 1:30 p. m. each day, leading speakers of the state occupied the time. Among them were President Heber J. Grant, President Anthony W. Ivins, President Charles W. Nibley, Dr. Adam S. Bennion, Dr. Fred J. Pack, Dr. W. W. Henderson, Susa Young Gates, and others. The speeches were broad-casted by KSL radio, so that many in all parts of the West listened in; and radio connection with other rooms on the college ground enabled all who attended to hear the lectures. The daily opportunities for study in regular courses were so numerous that almost any desire might be satisfied on any particular subject of interest: music, methods of teaching, recreation, psychology for parents, genealogy, principles of recreation, social welfare work, religious education, fundamentals of home life, farmers' conference, story telling for children, literary pro- grams, play production, health programs, training for parenthood, scout leadership. Enlightening demonstrations and lectures on these subjects were presented. Methods of teaching, farming, religious education, psychology for parents, genealogy, and the various divisions for recreation and scout leadership, were especially well received and recognized. Dancing, debating, drama, and social work, in the evenings, were very popular. On the whole, the program should have satisfied every thirst for knowl- edge and entertainment that the great crowd who assembled might desire. Officers, professors, teachers, and regular students, alike vied with one another to make things pleasant and profitable for all who attended. The school was a great success. In the midst of his splendid supervision and masterful leadership, President F. S. Harris found time to extend many courtesies to the visitors, and he was ably assisted in the multiplicity of his duties by the reception committee, students, teachers and professors.